We all know what type body we have,
right? I mean, who doesn’t know if they’re short, tall, over or
underweight, muscular or lean? I’m sure we’re all familiar with our
physiques and know what they look like… but do you know the actual name
of your body type and the typical characteristics that go along with it?
It’s a wise thing to know because
understanding your body type, along with its strengths and weaknesses,
can help you better manage your life and the many challenges so many of
us encounter. Body type influences how we respond to food and exercise,
and even dictates which clothing looks best on us. Designing your diet,
wardrobe, and workout routine around your body type is instrumental in
obtaining the image and life you want. By working with the body genetics gave you, instead of against it, you can achieve your “best” you – it just takes a little knowhow.
There are three basic body types:
ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph. Because we’re human and didn’t pop
out of a mold, many guys are a combination of body types and don’t fit
into just one classification. If this applies to you, either choose the
type or style that is most like you, or identify your particular
characteristics within the different types and go from there. Either
way, learning about your body type is empowering and can impact your
life in many positive ways.
Body Types
Ectomorph: Known as a “
Hardgainer”, the ectomorph body type is the leanest of the three types. Other traits include:
- Fast metabolism
- Difficulty gaining weight
- Lean muscle mass
- Very low body fat index
- Very thin, often lanky
- A small frame and delicate bone structure
- Narrow or small shoulders
- Underdeveloped chest
- Any height, but is often seen in tall men
The greatest challenge ectomorphs have
is gaining weight, hence the term” hardgainer”. Regardless of the
reason, most have a fast metabolism that burns calories quicker than
normal; making weight and muscle gain difficult. As a result, high
caloric intake and customized workouts that focus on large muscle groups
are needed, in order for the hardgainer to increase and maintain weight
and muscle mass. Success is possible, but the process is often slow.
Finding a suitable workout and diet is key. For more detailed
information, see my article, Hardgainer.
Mesomorph: The most common male body type, mesomorphs have an advantage at the gym. Other traits include:
- Athletic build
- Well defined muscles
- Big boned with a sturdy frame
- Rectangular shaped body
- Typically of average height
- Gains muscle easily
- Generally strong
- Normal metabolism
- Gains fat fairly easily
Mesomorphs, with their heavier bone and
muscle structure, have an easy time of gaining muscle and maintaining an
athletic physique. With a healthy metabolism that burns calories at a
normal pace, the mesomorph can gain and lose weight easily. Still,
attention should be given to his caloric intake, especially as he ages,
since fat is no stranger to this body type. Bodybuilding routines are
typical and require no special considerations like the Ectomorph’s does.
Cardio should always be a part of his workout program, in order to
maintain weight.
Endomorph: At the other end of the spectrum is the endomorph, whose body type is opposite the ectomorph. Other traits include:
- Stocky, solid build
- Typically shorter than average height
- Thick arms and legs
- Strong upper legs
- Gains muscle easily
- Slow metabolism
- Undefined, soft muscles
- Gains muscle and fat very easily
- Difficulty losing fat
Endomorphs have the potential to gain
muscle quickly with the appropriate bodybuilding workout. Cardio is
always recommended for weight control, which is often a challenge when
the metabolism is slow. This body type also needs to maintain a balanced
caloric intake to avoid excess weight gain.
Knowing your body type and its typical
characteristics help explain and give insight to the many unknowns and
challenges men often deal with when dieting and bodybuilding. It’s one
more tool to use to maximize your greatest assets, while minimizing the
rest. There’s tons of information online regarding the various body
types and methods to enhance the lives they’re attached to. Take
advantage of this knowledge and watch yourself morph into a better you!
---------- There’s tons of
information online regarding the various body types and methods to
enhance the lives they’re attached to. Take advantage of this
knowledge and watch yourself morph into a better you!
The Rectangle (Picture: Cavendish) Straight up and down. This is
one of the most common body shapes, and four in 10 guys have a
rectangle figure. The torso is fairly flat, and there’s little
change in shape or tapering once you reach the hips. Celebs from
David Beckham to Harry Styles fall in the rectangle category The Oval
(PIcture: Cavendish) James Corden is the perfect example of an oval,
which is the second most-common body shape among UK men. More than a
quarter (26%) of guys, including the likes of Corden, Elton John and
Boris Johnson fall into the Oval category, which is defined by excess
weight stored in the upper half of the body. The Triangle (Picture:
Cavendish) You know that classic ‘pear-shape’ people bang on
about in women’s fashion? Well when you’re a guy, it’s got a
much ‘manlier’ name: the Triangle. This is the third most-common
body shape, typified by carrying a little excess weight around the
middle, which is shared by 14% of British men. Celebrity Triangles
include David Walliams and Michael McIntyre. The Inverted Triangle
(Picture: Cavendish) This is one of the rarest body shapes, shared by
just 5% of the UK’s male population. This is where the upper half
of the body has broad shoulder and carries excess muscle, and the
shape noticeably tapers down to the waist, while the hips are
noticeably smaller. Famous examples include Fastest Man Alive Usain
Bolt, and Hollywood actor Jason Statham. The Rhomboid (Picture:
Cavendish) Last but not least is the Rhomboid. This is the second
rarest of all the shapes, just 13% of men fall into the Rhomboid
category. Rhomboid celebs like Daniel Craig, David Gandy and
countless athletes share this body shape, which differs slightly from
the rectangle in that the shoulders are more well-built, meaning they
protrude slightly in comparision.
The Rectangle
(Picture: Cavendish)
Straight up and down. This is one of the most common body shapes, and
four in 10 guys have a rectangle figure. The torso is fairly flat, and
there’s little change in shape or tapering once you reach the hips.
Celebs from David Beckham to Harry Styles fall in the rectangle category
The Oval
(PIcture: Cavendish)
James Corden is the perfect example of an oval, which is the second
most-common body shape among UK men.
More than a quarter (26%) of guys, including the likes of Corden, Elton
John and Boris Johnson fall into the Oval category, which is defined by
excess weight stored in the upper half of the body.
The Triangle
(Picture: Cavendish)
You know that classic ‘pear-shape’ people bang on about in women’s
fashion? Well when you’re a guy, it’s got a much ‘manlier’ name: the
Triangle.
This is the third most-common body shape, typified by carrying a little
excess weight around the middle, which is shared by 14% of British men.
Celebrity Triangles include David Walliams and Michael McIntyre.
The Inverted Triangle
(Picture: Cavendish)
This is one of the rarest body shapes, shared by just 5% of the UK’s
male population. This is where the upper half of the body has broad
shoulder and carries excess muscle, and the shape noticeably tapers down
to the waist, while the hips are noticeably smaller. Famous examples
include Fastest Man Alive Usain Bolt, and Hollywood actor Jason Statham.
The Rhomboid
(Picture: Cavendish)
Last but not least is the Rhomboid. This is the second rarest of all the
shapes, just 13% of men fall into the Rhomboid category. Rhomboid
celebs like Daniel Craig, David Gandy and countless athletes share this
body shape, which differs slightly from the rectangle in that the
shoulders are more well-built, meaning they protrude slightly in
comparison to the hips.
MORE: Reebok has hopped on the rompers for men trend
Read
more:
https://metro.co.uk/2017/05/21/there-are-only-five-male-body-shapes-according-to-health-experts-6650097/?ito=cbshare
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/
